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By BEN LEIBOWITZ
Cronkite News
PHOENIX — When University of Arizona’s Deandre Ayton first stepped into McKale Center, the Phoenix Suns knew they would be making the 113-mile trek down to Tucson plenty of times to scout the 7-foot-1, 250-pound prospect.
So, it was no surprise when the Suns brought in two of Ayton’s most effective counterparts — guards Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier — to the team’s pre-draft workout last Friday.
“They’re right down the road so obviously we see Arizona a lot, going to practices and going to Pac-12 games,” said Suns Assistant General Manager Pat Connelly. “They’re probably the most well-scouted (team) by the Suns.”
Alkins and Trier worked out alongside Rhode Island’s E.C. Matthews, USC’s De’Anthony Melton, Wichita State’s Landry Shamet and Vancouver Island’s Usama Zaid. All six attendees were guards, a position the Suns’ look to fill at No. 16 or with one of their second-round picks, if they decide to draft Ayton at the No. 1 spot.
Both Arizona guards are expected to be second-round picks at best. Bleacher Report projected Alkins at No. 46 to the Houston Rockets and Trier No. 59 to the Suns, but NBAdraft.net has Alkins at No. 57 to Oklahoma City and Trier going undrafted.
Both also said Ayton planned to watch their workout with the Suns, but NBA rules only allow prospects two pre-draft visits to an organization so Ayton decided not to attend. Ayton has an individual workout scheduled with the Suns Wednesday.
After being named to the 2016-17 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, Alkins averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 43 percent shooting during his sophomore season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect also showcased his physicality with stout defense on the wing and a couple of SportsCenter Top 10 dunks.
“I’m just proving that I can be a defender, guard the top guys in the NBA,” Alkins said. “As a rookie it’s hard to come into the game thinking you’re going to take 20 shots a night. So, I’m coming in with that defensive mentality.”
Although Alkins is focusing on a less-gaudy facet of his game during the draft process, he still had the chance to flaunt his athleticism for the Suns.
“We did a couple dunks,” Alkins said. “It’s not like they told us to dunk but you know … you got to highlight your specialties, so I did a little bit of dunking.”
Even though Alkins referred to himself as a local guy, after playing two seasons for the Wildcats, Suns management noticed his Brooklyn roots during last Friday’s workout.
“Rawle is kind of a big bulldozer, really strong but skilled,” Connelly said. “Kind of has that New York style power wing game.”
In contrast to Alkins powerful wing game, Trier is known as more of a high-volume scorer, averaging 18.1 points on 50 percent shooting from the field last season. Trier was critiqued throughout his collegiate career for holding the ball too long, looking to score himself rather than facilitating the offense.
But Trier believes he has enhanced that aspect in his game, and the numbers back his claim. Trier improved from averaging 1.1 assists per game as a freshman to 3.2 in last year’s junior season.
“(I’m) showing I’m versatile on offense, not that I just put the ball in the basket,” Trier said. “I can handle the ball. I can do things and make plays for my teammates. I think I did a good job of showing that my last year at Arizona.”
Trier also addressed the critiques of his defensive shortcomings. Trier was 11th out of 15 players on Arizona’s roster — and the worst of the five starters — in defensive box plus/minus, according to sports-reference.com.
“I think (my defense) is absolutely underrated,” Trier said. “Sometimes it can be hard to shake a perception, especially when you do something very, very well. It’s easy to nitpick and say what other things you don’t do well.”
Both Alkins and Trier were happy to offer up advice on who the Suns should take with the No. 1 pick.
“I think Deandre is probably the best player in this draft,” Alkins said. “Phoenix Suns, I’m not going to tell them what to do, but you know … DeAndre Ayton.”
Trier echoed Alkins, noting his chemistry with the big man, possibly in hopes that the Suns will take that into account if he falls to them in the late second-round.
“It’d be great, It’d be awesome (to play with Ayton again),” Trier said. “We had a mutual respect for each other and we always talked about being a duo — playing off each other, being the guard and big — and really trying to make life easier for each other on and off the court.”
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